Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

by Miranda Paul, Jason Chin (Illustrator)

Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless...it heats up.
Whirl. Swirl. Watch it curl by. Steam is steam unless...it cools high.

This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin (Redwoods, Coral Reefs, Island, Gravity) combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Nonfiction, Nature, Childrens, Poetry, Stem

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2015

About the author

Miranda Paul has worked as a teacher, volunteer zookeeper, and freelance writer--among other things. She is passionate about creating stories for young readers that inspire, entertain, and broaden horizons. Miranda is also a thrill-seeker, and one of her bravest moments involved reciting poetry from inside a crocodile pit. (Yikes!)

In addition to being a picture book author, Miranda is a team member of We Need Diverse Books™ and a volunteer for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Learn more at www.mirandapaul.com.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drip.
Sip.
Pour me a cup.
Water
is
water
unless. . .

Water is Water is a lyrical informational picture book (consider that combination!) about the water cycle, from clouds to mud to apples to bodies, with a useful and engaging appendix (did you know that babies are 78% water but young children are 65% water? An oak tree is 75% water. 96& of the world's water is salt water.

Given my interest in the world's water crisis (and more local concerns for me such as the preservation of The Great Lakes and the poisoning of urban America, i.e., Flint and more recently Detroit, and my having recently taught a course about water and literature) I sort of expected a more political book, but was not disappointed, really. That isn't the book's point. I read this because I read illustrator Jason Chin's most recent and award-wnning book Grand Canyon, and I think the art work is the real prize here, but Miranda Paul's lyrical writing is also very strong, perfectly wedded to the watercolor images. Maybe 4/4.5 for me in terms of engagement, but you have to really support well-written informational books, and ones about nature.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the collaboration between the author and illustrator to create a fun way to teach children about the water cycle. Lyrical language and gorgeous illustrations make for a lovely book. I enjoyed looking for the different creatures included on most of the pages also.

[Maren Prestegaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-fiction was NOT this good when I was a kid.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely remarkable picture book. The title is putting people off it seems. An incredible shame because the info and particularly the artwork are mind blowing. Detailed, clever and beautiful. I always liked the illustrator-now I love him! One of my top favorite 5 picture books of 2015 so far.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Water is…everywhere!”

In the *crack* of ice, splash of a puddle and the soft, slow glide of fog. Water Is Water breaks down the way water moves through nature in seasons and all its different forms. From the faucet to the clouds to the rivers. Come see...

This book is a wonderful source of facts and fun and beauty. Every page is a piece of art. Nature, colors, and faces accompany and highlight the simple, poetic words. Gorgeous words and images! My eyes loved and locked on the colors. They looked so alive! The art is filled with vibrant leaves, expressive faces, and details and animals hidden away in every corner. Look for the cat! :D

The last few pages are filled with perfectly splayed out facts about water in people, animals, and nature. Very clear facts to understand and identify with for any and all ages. I enjoyed and learned so much in this beautiful book.

Recommended read.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to live in a world drawn by Jason Chin.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Water is always water in this lovely picture-book, but that doesn't mean it always stays the same. Author Miranda Paul explores the many states of H2O, from liquid to vapor to ice, and every step in between, in her poetic text, one which highlights the involvement of a group of children in the water cycle over the course of a year. An informative afterword gives more scientific details about the process outlined in the rather whimsical main text. Artist Jason Chin, whose own natural history picture-books include such titles as Redwoods and Coral Reefs , contributes the watercolor and gouache illustrations here.

I really enjoyed Water Is Water, which I have added to that list of children's picture-books which blend the instructional with the delightful, offering both an imaginative and an informative element in their texts. This is something for which Jason Chin is particularly known, so I wasn't surprised to see that he had accepted the commission to create the artwork here, as I feel that it is definitely his kind of book. Needless to say, the artwork itself was simply gorgeous, capturing the beauty and wonder of the entire water cycle, as experienced by a group of children. This is my first book from Miranda Paul, but I certainly hope it won't be my last, as I was just as impressed with the text, as I was with the visuals. Highly recommended to anyone looking for children's books that make science and natural history fun and engaging.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and informative. Really well done.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot stop thinking about Water Is Water. It is early yet, but it might just be my favorite picture book of 2015. The text or art alone will take your breath away, but the combination? Mind-blowing. And it is nonfiction. And it features a diverse cast of characters.

Drip.
Sip.
Pour me a cup.
Water
is
water
unless...

And with that lyrical opening, readers are taken on a journey through the different states of water as it cycles through the seasons. From steamy summers to rainy, foggy autumns to snowy, icy winters to muddy springs, water is all around us (and in us!) all the time. Instead of just showing water in nature, Chin’s stunningly realistic illustrations put it in the context of the lives of a group of kids, as they splash in their pond or in puddles, build snowmen and start snowball fights, and press cider from their family’s apple orchard. You’ll want to read this book over and over to find all the little details Chin includes, and you’ll begin to realize that each child, especially the brother and sister featured in each spread, have distinct personalities that make them nearly jump off the page. Paul’s poetic text lends the book a beautiful rhythm that pauses in all the right places, giving the readers space to absorb the information and enjoy the gorgeous imagery. Extensive yet engaging backmatter rounds out the book, emphasizing the importance of water conservation in a clear, concise way. Imaginative yet informative, this book will have readers happily immersed in the world of water.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Not a lot of text which is good for little ones. It mostly rhymes, and has various noises (drip, splatter, slosh, splash...) But my little one really loved the illustrations. There’s more of the story in the illustrations than in the text! He was paying close attention as I described what was on each page.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spare, poetic picture book depicting a group of children as they experience all the different phases of the water cycle. Beautifully illustrations by Jason Chin. See also Walter Wick's A Drop of Water.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!

[Tegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful! The illustrations are gorgeous and I love the storytelling. A great non-fiction book that will keep a reader's attention.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful Illustrations. The sequence didn’t always make sense, but it was an original idea.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super enjoyable! Engaging text, lovely illustrations, entertaining and informative. The back matter helps dive a bit deeper on the different forms of water. My children really enjoyed this, too. Definitely recommend!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh I love Miranda Paul and Jason Chin. Their books are so magical.

[Agnė · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5
One of the most poetic and imaginative presentations of the water cycle I have ever seen.
And the illustrations are gorgeous...


...and dynamic.


And the additional information in the back matter is very informative and surprisingly engaging.

And... And... Simply excellent!

[Seema Rao · Rating 4 out of 5]

The water cycle is clearly described through the actions of people. One of the best non-fiction children's book b/c it makes something abstract, very concrete and narrative.

[Rachel Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nonfiction: Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul
"Water is Water" is an extremely creative take on a nonfiction text about the water cycle. Instead of just simply providing the reader with information regarding the various parts and steps of the water cycle, the author pairs the various parts of the water cycle with descriptive words and simple explanations through what people are experiencing or doing. Each part of the cycle is paired beautifully with intricate, well-thought out illustrations. If there is something I enjoyed most throughout the book, it was the lovely illustrations and the way each page leads to the next. I thought it was also very creative of the author to show the water cycle throughout the four seasons. At the end of the book, there is a thorough scientific description of the water cycle. The author explains how they have chosen to represent the water cycle through a cup of water and the way this cup of water goes through the various processes to become different states of water. I thought this really added to the book and provided a great description to how the water cycle is represented since some of the steps may not be obvious to those first learning the water cycle. Since this book is not direct about which part of the water cycle it is describing then I would not use this in the first lessons taught about the water cycle. Instead, I would use this after students have become somewhat familiar with the water cycle. This book would act as a great tool of merging writing with science. After reading both the book and the description of how the water cycle was described and shown, I would discuss with students how we can creatively talk about the various topics of science like the water cycle. Then, I would have students complete their own creative descriptive writing piece about the water cycle. This would also be a great book to illustrate how nonfiction books are not all just direct information and can be written in a creative fashion that may sometimes appear to be fiction.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author and illustrator worked together to make the minimal amount of text and the impactful images tell a story of the water cycle. This books goes from clouds to mud to apples to bodies. This book is full of useful facts and beauty. The pages burst with color that bring to life the nature, leaves and animals using watercolors. This is a great non fiction book to add to a science collection especially when introducing the water cycle. It is also written in a form of a poem which is nice as well!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius. Genius nonfiction. The way this explains the water cycle in a child friendly, every day life way is brilliant. Genius page turns. The use of repetition and how they lead into the page turns is so smart and keeps the reader moving through the book. The words are smart and quick and informative. The illustrations are warm and relatable. So much to love on these pages. It is science come to life in an engaging and lovely story. Genius.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great for all of my kids (ages 2, 4 & 6). They all got something out of it. My older ones learned some basic info about water and the seasons. My littlest kid loved the detailed illustrations. The illustrations are fabulous and there is so much to look at! I would say my 2 year old liked this book the best out of all my kids.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm doing a chilly story time (chillebration!) and I'm using this as one of my books to talk about the water cycle. The text is really fun and I love the rhythm of the unlesses. The illustrations are great too -- exciting, engaging, and with a lot to look at and talk about.

[Rhonda Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Water is water unless...I love the page turns in this book as it takes the reader through the water cycle. Teachers will love teaching the water cycle from an everyday, hands-on point of view.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. Excellent way to introduce the science of the water cycle with scenes and activities familiar to children. Homeschool parents will dig it.

[Emily Caveye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to pair this book with "A Raindrop's Journey" By Holli Conger. I chose this twin text because it is a goofy explanation to the science of water. Water is Water is about the water cycle and I think it pairs very well with A Raindrop's Journey. These texts could be used in a science lesson about the cycle of water. I would use a Webbing activity for these books because the students could tell me all of the information they know about water and we can see what new things we learn from both books.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and engaging look at the water cycle. Paul also goes through the four seasons with the start and end of the book in Summer.

2023 storytime theme: POOL - water

Reviewed from a library copy.

[kate. · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL.
on my picture book wishlist for sure!!
words are great, but the real gem — the illustrations. 🤩
highly recommend.

[Christy Eanes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would use this set of twin texts as a science lesson. Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle tells of the different phases of the water cycle, including rain, mist, snow and fog. The twin text fiction book of The Little Raindrop (by Joanna Gray, 2014) tells the story of a single raindrop that makes its journey through the water cycle. The fiction book is a fun way to introduce the lesson on the Earth’s water cycle. It’s full of pastel-colored pictures that make it entertaining to follow the path of the raindrop. This enhances the students’ learning by engaging them in the topic through pictures and an exciting story. Following that up with Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle can help put the water cycle into perspective from a real-life standpoint. Before beginning the lesson, I would have the students complete a K-W-L chart which can be done independently or with an elbow partner. They would write down what they already know about the water cycle, including the different forms of water and where water comes from. The class would then share their ideas and form questions about what they want to know. We would then dive into the reading portion. After reading the books, the students will write down what they learned, keeping in mind the questions they had previously written down. It would be fun for the class to perform their own type of science experiment about the water cycle with the knowledge gained through this lesson.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rhyming read aloud about the water cycle that sets up a nice format and sticks with it successfully. Each two page spread uses descriptive language to explain a stage of the water cycle and uses the word "unless" to lead to a change in the cycle.

Watercolor and gouache illustrations are simply beautiful. A racially diverse cast of characters enjoy and celebrate nature in all its glory throughout every spread.

Back matter introduces vocabulary and water cycle specific terminology to review each stage presented in the book. Other pages included in the back matter provide interesting facts about creatures and their unique percentages of water makeup, an emphasis on water conservation, and a further reading section and sselect bibliography.

Excellent classroom resource for grades 3-5.